Democrats go to the mat over health care

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Democrats managed to get into a healthy debate about health care Thursday night as they tried to cripple each other's road to the nomination.

The biggest fireworks of the evening debate in Las Vegas came between Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois. Both are seeking to expand health care coverage, and the debate underscored the differences between their plans. It also ratcheted up the war of words between the two.

Clinton charged that Obama's plan would leave 15 million Americans uninsured. Eyes firmly focused on the first four primary-election states of next year, she said that that's about the population of Nevada, Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire combined.

Clinton is commanding a big lead over her rivals in most states, with the exception of Iowa.

A chief difference between Obama's and Clinton's health care plans is mandating universal coverage. Clinton wants the mandate; Obama doesn't, at least not right away.

"When it came time to step up and decide whether or not he would support universal health care coverage, he chose not to do that," Clinton said.

"I don't think that the problem with the American people is that they are not being forced to get health care," Obama responded.

'I don't think that the problem with the American people is that they are not being forced to get health care. The problem is, they can't afford it.'
Barack Obama, D-Illinois

"The problem is, they can't afford it," Obama said. "And that is why my plan provides the mechanism to make sure that they can."

Clinton said she would provide tax credits to help Americans buy insurance. But, said Obama, many families still wouldn't be able to afford insurance to comply with the mandates of the Clinton plan.

Nevada matters because its caucuses on Jan. 19 are some of the earliest.

But with Clinton behind in Iowa, her rivals are trying to knock her off course ahead of the caucuses in the key primary state.

Iowa has the first caucus -- on Jan. 3 -- and its winners enjoy a significant symbolic boost and sometimes go on to win the White House. John Kerry won Iowa in 2004, and Al Gore won it in 2000, but neither of them prevailed in the final race for president. Bill Clinton bagged Iowa in 1996, though he rain unopposed, and later took the White House for a second time.

With health care a key issue for Clinton, she had barbs at the ready Thursday night when rival John Edwards took her to task for waffling. Clinton said he opposed universal health care before supporting it now.

The candidates also debated Social Security, the Iraq war and regional issues like energy and immigration.

Democrats debate again on Dec. 10 in Los Angeles. Republicans are set for a Nov. 28 debate in Florida.

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